Good news!

As some of you may remember I was taking acyclovir at lower than recommended doses. It was kinda sorta working. My ENT and I checked in and decided to start me on valacyclovir (Valtrex) following the regime Dr. Gacek recommends on p. 104 of this article (I did not do the acyclovir at the dosage recommended there): http://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00056616.pdf, starting with 1 gram 3x day for 3 weeks.

As of yesterday I was one week into it and amazing things happened. My left ear was clearing/popping in ways that it hadn't done for I think at least a year. It felt so good, that I think I started to make my jaw sore from popping it. I'll take that!! But even better, I can hear better!! It started when I was eating and I could hear the crunch on the left side. Then I noticed that when I talk or sing the sound is not mono in my head, but glorious stereo. I don't have all the hearing on the left, but more and especially some high tones so that it does sound stereo, and I love it.

I'm also noticing that my hearing is better telling me where things are in space. The world seems rich and a little loud.

Later in the day I got very tired. I'm guessing that maybe is because my brain is readjusting to taking in these sounds. I'll take that, too!!

I hope this doesn't somehow disappear, but I am very hopeful and happy. And also grateful for this board and that I was able to find this information.

I am also especially grateful because I think it was starting to begin in the other ear.

 

Thanks everyone. Yes, I'm realizing even if I do have setbacks (and there have been some mini ones already) just knowing that it is possible for me to hear that well and for my ear to clear that well is very reassuring.

 

Thanks everyone! I am continuing to enjoy better hearing--able to walk with people on my left side and carry on a conversation. A little thing like not having to switch sides is sure sweet.

I want to tell you that part of the impetus to increase switch to valacyclovir on the full dose was a communication with Dr. Gacek. I wasn't sure I could share that with you, but I checked with him and that is okay with him. He said he is currently putting his patients on valacyclovir/Valtrex (those are generic and brand names for the same medications). He also let me know that he thought my recurrence of symptoms was because my dosage was too low. So this confirmed what many here encouraged me to do--start with the full recommended dose. I pass that encouragement on. Here is the paper with the dosages on p. 104: http://www.mm3admin.co.za/documents/docmanager/6e64f7e1-715e-4fd6-8315-424683839664/00056616.pdf